Rafah Updates

Posted on By 3arabawy

I received the following update from the Gaza Solidarity Campaign, regarding their 27 June Rafah protest…

Due to hopeful developments for the people of Gaza, we have decided to wait another week before holding the previously planned demonstration. We hope that the current cease-fire will provide some immediate relief for the besieged people of Gaza, though as of yet the exact details of the arrangement are not entirely clear.
Therefore, at this stage we feel that it would be irresponsible to continue with the action before some clarity has been brought to the situation, especially considering the current political climate in Egypt. As the situation for the people of Gaza becomes clearer we will be able to judge how best to show our solidarity with the people still living under siege. Therefore we are postponing the action for one more week and ask you to do the same if solidarity actions are being organized in your communities.

Mansoura-España workers on STRIKE

Posted on By 3arabawy

250 workers from the Mansoura-España Garments Company went on strike an hour ago, after the security banned Adel Hassaballah, the deputy head of the Factory Union Committee from entering the compound. The trade unionist had been fired earlier by the United Bank, charged with allowing journalists into the factory to speak to the workers.

UPDATE 9:30am: A number of the strikers are leaving the factory, on their way to demonstrate in front of the Daqahliya Province Governorate HQ in Mansoura

UPDATE: 12noon: Central Security Forces surrounded the factory. State Security officers are threatening strikers with arrests.. Fire truck opened water canons on the strikers.

UPDATE: 5:30pm: I was out most of the day, but I’ve been twittering the strike. I hope you were following my Twitter account. The strike was suspended under pressures from the police and labor ministry officials. The troops siege was only lifted when the workers were allowed to leave the factory compound by 4pm.